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Interesting information from Africa. Curiously the use of ivory has been of concern since at least the 1880's. While doing research for a book on a dynasty of pipe organ builders, I came across a stash of old music trade magazines. One article dealt with the coming extiction of the elephant herds. It recommended the use of alabaster key surfaces. Alabaster is fairly fragile, heavy, and, I believe, tends to be water soluable. Wouldn't that have been a horrific choice? Of course the availability of synthetic products was limited. Celuloid was either available or soon to be so. I can't recall a reed organ keyboard made of anything else. Let's hope the elephants survive our efforts to help them.

On one hand, I understand the problem of poaching, and how it can decimate the elephants that are left. I too, want a world with elephants.

On the other hand, the outdoorsman in me knows that the Pittman-Robertson act literally saved most of the big game in America. In case many of you didn't know, the hunters and anglers pay a small hidden tax on most gear purchases they make. This money is used for habitat, and game law enforcement.

There has to be some middle ground, whereby legal ivory can be sold, and used, and elephants can be protected, and thrive.

As in most simple questions, though, the answer seems to be very complex.